If this historian could go back in time and attend any of Lincoln’s speeches, he’d pick the Cooper Union address rather than the one you’d think: “Why go to Gettysburg and stand around for hours for a two-and-a-half minute speech?” Plus Lincoln’s choice of weapons when challenged to a duel. Presented with Roosevelt House.
This social scientist and policy advisor finds hope in local resistance to data centers. “These are our neighbors saying we thought we had no power, but we know where AI sits in our lives, and we can say something about it.” I’m still uneasy about my toaster-oven. Presented with the Park Avenue Armory.
He’s our first guest in what I hope will be a series of conversations with comedians. When he was a grad student in linguistics at BU, he was voted “funniest student.” Or maybe vice versa. In any case, that was long ago, and I’m sure nobody holds a grudge. Music: Taylor Ashton. Tuesday, August 4, 7:00 … Continue reading »
“Eye surgery now is so marvelous,” says this ophthalmologist. “I’m amazed.” At age 97, he’s one of the innovators who made it amazing, and he found time to go out for beers with Wernher von Braun and perform Shakespeare (not simultaneously). Produced with New York’s Amateur Comedy Club with the sponsorship of Thomas Campbell Jackson. Continue reading »
Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington does not convey his actual appearance, says the Jewish Museum’s director. “It’s the way Washington wanted to present himself.” The dubious task of the society painter, plus 3,500 years of Jewish life expressed as art. Listen quickly. Photo: Harry Wilks. Continue reading »
They note that the leaders of the Irish rebellion of 1916 “wrote plays and poems and were well known in Irish literary circles.” I’d be happy to have leaders who went to a play or read a poem. The curators of Risings: The Irish Literary Revival and the Making of a Nation, presented with the Grolier Club. Continue reading »
These historians note that our Revolutionary War was also a civil war. “In New York and Philadelphia and Charleston, it really was neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother.” Not what I learned in cold-war high school. But what is? Produced with the Gotham Center for New York City History, and without the Ultimate Fighting crowd. Continue reading »
A little sadness tints his exultant photographs of subway repair shops: “I’m one step ahead of the wrecking ball, whether it’s a factory that’s going to close or a process that’s going to change. It’s heart-breaking.” Presented with MTA Arts and Design and the New York Transit Museum. Continue reading »
When he asked Frederick Douglass to the White House, did he serve snacks? “We did offer some refreshments, perhaps tea and bread.” Tea and bread? Great Emancipator, chintzy host. A conversation with the 16th President, as portrayed by ChatGPT: call him AI-braham Lincoln. Continue reading »
From the day she was born, her father was determined to make her a musician: “When I was brought home, my father piped classical music throughout the house and in our bedrooms. All night. Newborns! We were newborns!” Today she’s a pediatrician. No no, a pianist. And a fine one. Presented with Yamaha Artist Services … Continue reading »
The Lutheran Bishop of New York esteems the subway. “It doesn’t discriminate based on age, race, gender identity, religion, lack of religion, none of those things.” Not just a public good, “a manifestation of the kingdom of God.” The second of a two-part episode recorded at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Continue reading »
The Lutheran Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod has a complex and nuanced view of God but unbridled affection for His son: “I’m a big fan of Jesus; we go way back.” The first of a two-part episode recorded at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Continue reading »
These veterinarians enjoy their work. He says, “I’m always excited when someone from exotics says, ‘Hey, do you have time tomorrow? We need to try to get a screw out of a macaw.’” A sentence never before spoken in all of human history. Produced with the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. Continue reading »
After a lifetime as a lighting designer for theater and dance, much of it working with gels, she received this honor: “There was a color that was named after me. They don’t make it anymore.” And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. Presented with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Continue reading »